April 22 marks the 42 nd annual Earth Day observance. In recent years, the week running up to Earth Day has become increasingly filled with a riotous mix of news that ranges from inspired initiatives to thinly veiled partisanship and shameless exploitation.

Some people take Earth Day more literally than others. Howard Garrett is one of them. Better known as the Dirt Doctor, Garrett believes that the health of the planet begins with the earth beneath our feet; it starts with cultivating strong vibrant soil, and blossoms outwards from there."Without healthy soil, we won't have healthy plants, animals or people," says Garret over the phone from his home in Dallas, Texas, where he advocates for natural organic gardening, landscaping and living.The soil, he says, is a living entity that's frequently mistreated.

A casual spin last night through the pile of ads inserted inside my local Sunday newspaper made it clear to me that the best possible thing we all can do this week to honor Earth is to shop till we drop.

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